Here's what you need in Kansas
Official state business portal: Kansas Business One Stop. The Kansas Business One Stop is the state site for planning, starting, running and growing a business. It is run by several state agencies together and links to registration, tax and license steps.
| What you need | Who issues it | Official fee | Links | Checked |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| General state business licenseWe could not find an official state page that says whether Kansas has a general state business license. State agencies license certain industries and occupations, and your city or county may have its own permits. | Kansas Business One Stop | Not yet verifiedCheck with the agency | Source | Nov 7, 2026 |
| Form an LLCArticles of Organization. To form an LLC, file Articles of Organization with the Kansas Secretary of State. Filing online costs less than filing on paper. | Kansas Secretary of State | $85 online, $90 on paper | Applyat sos.ks.govSource | Nov 7, 2026 |
| Business name (DBA)No state DBA registration. The Kansas Secretary of State does not register DBA, assumed or trade names. | Kansas Secretary of State | Not needed | Source | Nov 7, 2026 |
| Sales tax permitKansas Retailers' Sales Tax Registration. If you sell goods or taxable services in Kansas, register for retailers sales tax with the Kansas Department of Revenue. Apply online through the KDOR Customer Service Center 3 to 4 weeks before you open. | Kansas Department of Revenue | Free | Applyat ksrevenue.govSource | Nov 7, 2026 |
| Unemployment insurance (once you hire)Unemployment tax registration. Every Kansas employer must file a report with the Kansas Department of Labor to find out whether it must pay state unemployment tax. | Kansas Department of Labor | You pay tax on wages | Applyat dol.ks.govSource | Nov 7, 2026 |
| Federal tax ID (EIN)Employer Identification Number (EIN). You need an EIN if you have employees or pay certain federal taxes, and banks often ask for one. Apply online with the IRS and you get the number in minutes. | Internal Revenue Service (IRS) | Free | Applyat irs.govSource | Nov 7, 2026 |
Costs after you start
What an LLC in Kansas pays or files after it is formed.
| What you need | Who issues it | Official fee | Links | Checked |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Information ReportEvery Kansas LLC files an Information Report with the Secretary of State. Filing online costs less than filing on paper, and you can pay by check or card. | Kansas Secretary of State | $90 every 2 years online ($110 on paper) | Applyat sos.ks.govSource | Nov 7, 2026 |
Licenses by type of business
State level licenses. Your city or county may add its own permits.
| What you need | Who issues it | Official fee | Links | Checked |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hair salon, barber shop or nail salonCosmetology establishment license. A new salon, a salon that moves or a salon with new owners needs an establishment license from the Kansas Board of Cosmetology. Apply at least 3 weeks before opening. | Kansas Board of Cosmetology | $60 application fee, nonrefundable | Source | Nov 7, 2026 |
| Child care in your homeDay care home license. Since July 1, 2026, licenses for day care homes and other day care facilities come from the Kansas Office of Early Childhood. State law sets no annual fee for a day care facility license; check with the office for which homes need a license. | Kansas Office of Early Childhood | No annual license fee | Applyat koec.ks.govSource | Nov 7, 2026 |
| Selling alcohol (bar or restaurant)Drinking Establishment license. Bars and restaurants that serve drinks get a Drinking Establishment license from Alcoholic Beverage Control at the Kansas Department of Revenue. Fees depend on the license type. | Kansas Department of Revenue, Alcoholic Beverage Control | $2,000 license fee, plus $30 application fee and $20 modernization fee | Applyat ksrevenue.govSource | Nov 7, 2026 |
| General contractorGeneral contractor license. We could not find an official state page that says whether Kansas licenses general contractors. Check with your city or county, and with the Kansas Business One Stop list of licensed trades. | City or county building office | Not yet verifiedCheck with the agency | Source | Nov 7, 2026 |
| Selling homemade food (cottage food)Homemade food sold directly to consumers. State law does not require a food license for a person who makes food and sells it directly to the end consumer, if the food does not need time and temperature control for safety. Foods that need refrigeration need a license. | Kansas Department of Agriculture | Free, no license needed | Source | Nov 7, 2026 |
What is different in Kansas
- At $85, the LLC filing fee is near the middle: 15 of 49 verified states charge less and 33 charge more.
- Business names (DBAs) are filed with the state, at the Kansas Secretary of State.
- At $60, the salon or shop license fee is among the lowest: only 6 of 36 verified states charge less.
- Information Report: $90 every 2 years online ($110 on paper). Every Kansas LLC files an Information Report with the Secretary of State. Filing online costs less than filing on paper, and you can pay by check or card.
Steps to start a business in Kansas
Pick a structure and register it
Sole owners can start under their own name. To form an LLC, file the Articles of Organization with the Kansas Secretary of State ($85).
Get a free EIN
Apply on irs.gov. You need it to hire, and banks usually ask for it. Never pay a website for an EIN.
Register your business name
If you trade under a name that is not your legal name, file a DBA with the Kansas Secretary of State.
Register for sales tax
If you sell taxable goods or services, get your permit from the Kansas Department of Revenue before your first sale.
Get a state license for your type of business
Salons, child care, alcohol, building work and home food each have their own state rules. See the table above.
Check city and county permits
Ask about a local business license, zoning, health and building permits before you sign a lease.
Register as an employer when you hire
Open a state unemployment insurance tax account with the Kansas Department of Labor.
City and county permits
Cities and countys in Kansas can require their own business license, zoning approval, health permit or building permit. Rules change from place to place, so ask your city hall and county clerk before you sign a lease. Home businesses often need a home occupation permit.
Questions about business licenses in Kansas
Do I need a business license in Kansas?
We have not yet verified this on an official page. Check with the Kansas Business One Stop.
How much is an LLC in Kansas?
The Kansas Secretary of State charges $85 online, $90 on paper to file the Articles of Organization. To form an LLC, file Articles of Organization with the Kansas Secretary of State. Filing online costs less than filing on paper.
How much does an LLC cost per year in Kansas?
Information Report: $90 every 2 years online ($110 on paper). Every Kansas LLC files an Information Report with the Secretary of State. Filing online costs less than filing on paper, and you can pay by check or card.
Does an LLC need a business license in Kansas?
Yes, if your type of business or your location requires one. Forming an LLC only registers your company with the state; it is not a license. An LLC in Kansas still needs any state license for its type of business and any local business license from its city or county.
Do I need a sales tax permit in Kansas?
Yes, if you sell taxable goods or services. If you sell goods or taxable services in Kansas, register for retailers sales tax with the Kansas Department of Revenue. Apply online through the KDOR Customer Service Center 3 to 4 weeks before you open. Official fee: Free.
How do I get a DBA in Kansas?
The Kansas Secretary of State does not register DBA, assumed or trade names.
Can I sell homemade food from home in Kansas?
State law does not require a food license for a person who makes food and sells it directly to the end consumer, if the food does not need time and temperature control for safety. Foods that need refrigeration need a license. Fee: Free, no license needed.
Do I need an EIN?
You need an EIN if you have employees or pay certain federal taxes, and banks often ask for one. Apply online with the IRS and you get the number in minutes. It is free: never pay a website for an EIN.
Sources
Every fact on this page comes from an official government page, checked on the date shown. Facts we could not confirm are marked Not yet verified and show no number. How we check.
- General state business license Kansas Business One Stop Not yet verified Checked Nov 7, 2026
- Form an LLC Kansas Secretary of State Checked Nov 7, 2026
- Business name (DBA) Kansas Secretary of State Checked Nov 7, 2026
- Sales tax permit Kansas Department of Revenue Checked Nov 7, 2026
- Official business portal State of Kansas Checked Nov 7, 2026
- Hair salon, barber shop or nail salon Kansas Board of Cosmetology Checked Nov 7, 2026
- Child care in your home Kansas Office of Early Childhood Checked Nov 7, 2026
- Selling alcohol (bar or restaurant) Kansas Department of Revenue, Alcoholic Beverage Control Checked Nov 7, 2026
- General contractor City or county building office Not yet verified Checked Nov 7, 2026
- Selling homemade food (cottage food) Kansas Department of Agriculture Checked Nov 7, 2026
- Information Report Kansas Secretary of State Checked Nov 7, 2026
- Federal tax ID (EIN) Internal Revenue Service (IRS) Checked Nov 7, 2026